The festival opened on Friday, April 3 with a special reception honoring 60 readers from across the state. Chancellor Hooker welcomed everyone and Clyde Edgerton read from "Lunch at the Picadilly" part of an unpublished work. Then he lead the audience in a poem/song recitation that he had created just for the occasion, "How 'bout them book readers….Ain't they fine?" Each nominated reader received a copy of Edgerton's latest work, Where Trouble Sleeps, published by Algonquin Books of Chapel Hill.



Clyde Edgerton talks with UNC-CH Chancellor Michael Hooker at the Opening Reception, April 3, 1998. The reception was held in honor of readers nominated from all over the State.




Jeffery Beam speaks with Daphne Athas at the Opening Reception.




Clyde Edgerton and Michael McFee at the Opening Reception.




Clyde Edgerton reads from his work in progress, "Lunch at the Piccadilly", at the Opening Reception of the North Carolina Literary Festival.




Clyde Edgerton and his volunteer back-up band perform the poem Edgerton composed especially for the Opening Reception of the North Carolina Literary Festival.